Knitting Outside the Lines: Ellis David on ADHD, Creativity, and Building a Bold New Brand

Strings, Style, and Self-Belief: How Ellis David Built His Knitwear Brand

Meet Ellis David, the bold and brilliant mind behind Ellis David Knitwear — a brand rooted in individuality, innovation, and unapologetic self-expression. A proudly neurodivergent designer who discovered his passion for knitting at sixteen, Ellis has quickly made a name for himself with his one-of-a-kind creations that blend texture, colour, and unconventional materials. In this interview, he shares how ADHD has become a creative superpower, his journey from learning to knit with his nan to showcasing on the catwalk at York Fashion Week, and the dreams driving his fast-rising fashion career.

Let’s start at the beginning — how did you first discover your passion for knitwear design? What drew you to it, and when did you realise it was something you wanted to pursue seriously?

Ellis: I never thought about knitting or knitwear design as a profession or career until my nan taught me how to knit at sixteen. At the same time, I was also diagnosed with ADHD, which stands for Attention Deficit Hyperactivity Disorder, and knitting became my therapy — it helped my mind focus and relax. As I progressed with my knitting, I started using different materials like string, craft wire, and fabric, and this was when I started to think that I could make a career out of my skill!

Your brand, Ellis David Knitwear, focuses on one-of-a-kind pieces. What inspires your designs and helps you create such unique work?

Ellis: My work takes inspiration from many different things — from different cultures to historical dresses — but the main source of my inspiration is my ADHD. I see it as a superpower because it makes me view things in a very abstract way when I’m looking looking at different shapes and forms. It also makes me approach briefs or commissions from a different angle. My ADHD inspires me to experiment with textures — I like my pieces to have a tactile element, as well as that visual element too.

You’ve recently showcased your work on the catwalk at York Fashion Week – congratulations! How did that opportunity come about, and what was the experience like for you as a young designer?

Ellis: The opportunity to showcase at York Fashion Week was a big achievement for me, as I had only started my brand five months before — and York is a place that’s very close to my heart. It was an event I had dreamt of being part of! Showcasing at York Fashion Week made me realise that I can do more than I think, and I should believe in myself more. It also helped me build up my contacts while learning from other designers who were showcasing at the event.

You describe yourself proudly as a neurodivergent designer. How does that influence the way you approach creativity, design, or even running a business? What strengths do you feel it brings to your work?

Ellis: ADHD has a big influence on my creative work, but it also has advantages from a business perspective — it makes me resilient and hard-working. It pushes me to think more actively about reaching out to different creatives, which has led to exciting collaborations with other fashion designers and creatives.

Are there any designers, artists, or creatives – whether in fashion or beyond – who have influenced your style or inspired you creatively?

Ellis: I’m inspired by many creatives. These include Matty Bovan — I love the way he creates avant-garde pieces of knitwear from unconventional materials. I’m also inspired by Pablo Picasso, due to the different colours and forms he used to create the Cubist movement. And then there’s Zandra Rhodes, as I love her use of line and shape to create bold prints. But the main creative who inspires me is fashion designer Helen Steele — she’s a neurodivergent designer, also with ADHD, and I’ve had the honour of working with her.

What are your goals for Ellis David Knitwear in the future?

Ellis: My goal for the future is to have a successful knitwear and womenswear brand that sells my one-off designs. I’d love to showcase my work at other fashion weeks such as Paris, Milan, and London. The ultimate dream, though, is to have a fashion house in London — but I know it will take a lot of hard work, grind and some luck to get there.

What advice would you give to other recent graduates or neurodivergent creatives who are just beginning to explore their own creative paths?

Ellis: Believe in yourself and don’t be scared to reach out to other creatives you look up to. A lot of the opportunities I’ve had have come from reaching out to creatives and asking for advice.

You never know what doors might open when you’re brave enough to knock!

Lastly, where can people find and support your work?

https://www.instagram.com/ellisdavidknitwear/